Emergency response volunteer roles

Do you live in Wales and want to gain valuable skills, have new experiences, and support vulnerable people?

We are offering 6 young people aged 18-25 the opportunity to volunteer with the Portuguese Red Cross in Cucujães, which serves the Municipality of Oliveira de Azeméis. Planned placement dates are: 26th February - 27th May 2026 and 1st June - 7th August 2026.

The Red Cross offers support to the local community in three main areas: Social Assistance and access to Welfare Services, Emergency Response & First Aid and Youth Engagement. Projects include: social assistance and counselling, food bank and food relief, activities for people with disabilities, first aid education, environmental education, activities focused on prevention for at risk youth, intergenerational and community workshops.

The successful volunteer will stay in a shared apartment (with other international volunteers) in a shared bedroom, located in Oliveira de Azeméis and carry out volunteering activities in two different locations (at Local Partner Institution: Centro de Apoio Familiar Pinto Carvalho (Oliveira de Azeméis) and at the Local Branch of the Portuguese Red Cross (Vila de Cucujães).

We would expect volunteers to do no more than 36 hours per week, within a rotating volunteer schedule, which will include two consecutive days per week away from the project. 

It's a fantastic opportunity to get involved in projects and find out what you are interested in. For more details on the role and the projects available, have a look at the role description. The main thing we want to see is your motivation for this placement! These are fully funded placements, with return flights, accommodation and health insurance covered - volunteers receive a small monthly stipend for living expenses.

Please note that only young people based in Wales can apply for this role, as it is Taith funded. Interviews will take place online with shortlisted candidates.

We are keen to hear from individuals especially those who do not normally get the chance to volunteer overseas, who are passionate and motivated about working in the humanitarian sector and international volunteering but who also understand that these types of placements require adaptability and resilience. We are especially interested in applications from those who are from low socio-economic backgrounds, are carers or are care experienced, have accessed free school meals, are refugees or asylum seekers and those with disabilities or additional needs.

Unremunerated

We are seeking a new Chair to join Age International and help us drive towards our vision of a world where every older person is included and valued. 

Our world is ageing rapidly, and yet ageism means older people’s needs and contributions are too often overlooked. Age International supports and promotes the rights of older people in low- and middle-income countries, through long-term programmes, humanitarian responses and advocacy.

We are the international arm of the Age UK Group, the UK member of the HelpAge International global network, and a member of the Disasters Emergency Committee (DEC) – the only member focussed on supporting older people through crises, from Ukraine to Gaza, Afghanistan to Myanmar.

We drive change in UK policy through influencing and campaigning focused on older people’s health, income security, humanitarian inclusion and rights. For example, we are calling for the UK Government to support a new United Nations Convention on the rights of older persons. Our turnover in the last financial year was £21m.

We are looking for a strategically focused leader with experience as a Chair, or Trustee, and an understanding of the UK international development / humanitarian sector, who will work with the CEO on direction setting, income generation and profile raising. The Chair will also play a key role in fostering collaboration between Age International, Age UK and HelpAge International.

This is a unique opportunity, so if you are excited about creating change for, and with, older people around the world – we would love to hear from you.

Closing date: 11:59pm Sunday 2 November 2025

Why This Matters

Every funding application you write could help open our first specialist refuge, provide emergency support to survivors, or deliver training that changes how authorities respond to Black women facing abuse. Your words will directly translate into life-changing services.

Our recent research revealed that 97% of Black women do not feel confident that reporting abuse would lead to fair treatment from authorities. Sistah Space exists to bridge this gap - and we need funding to continue this vital work.

What You'll Gain

• Real-world experience writing actual funding applications for an award-winning charity

• Portfolio building - successful bids you can showcase in your professional development

• Mentorship and guidance from our Head of Marketing and leadership team

• Written reference upon successful completion of your volunteer period

• Sector insight into charity operations and the domestic abuse sector

• Flexible working that fits around your existing commitments

• Meaningful impact - the satisfaction of directly contributing to life-saving work for Black women

• Skill development in grant writing, research, and stakeholder communication

Your Main Responsibilities:

• Writing funding applications - your primary focus (we'll provide templates, examples, and support)

• Researching funding opportunities that align with our mission and current priorities

• Gathering impact stories and data from the team to strengthen applications

• Maintaining a simple tracker of applications, deadlines, and outcomes

With Support, You May Also:

• Help with funder relationship follow-ups (we'll make introductions)

• Contribute ideas for strengthening our funding strategy

• Attend monthly check-ins with the leadership team

• Collaborate on other funding-related communications

Who We're Looking For

Essential:

• ✅ Previous experience with grant writing, bid writing, or funding applications

• ✅ Previous experience successfully securing funding, or at least being shortlisted 

• ✅ Passionate about racial justice and supporting survivors of abuse

• ✅ Strong writing skills - perhaps from professional reports, proposals, academic work, journalism, or communications roles

• ✅ Organised and able to meet deadlines with good time management

• ✅ Self-motivated - able to work independently while staying connected with the team

• ✅ Available to commit 6-8 hours weekly from November 2025 - May 2026

• ✅ Comfortable communicating via email with team members and occasionally with external stakeholders

Bonus Points For

• Understanding of issues affecting Black women and domestic abuse services

• Experience in the nonprofit, social justice, or community sector

Don't worry if you don't have all the "bonus" experience. We value passion, commitment, and strong writing over specific credentials. If you have transferable skills and the desire to learn, we want to hear from you.

How We'll Support You

We know volunteer roles need to work for you too. Here's what we provide:

• Comprehensive induction session covering our mission, impact data, and funding priorities

• Regular check-ins with the team (bi-weekly, 30 minutes)

• Responsive support via email/messaging when you have questions

• Complete flexibility - work hours that suit your schedule, whether that's evenings, weekends, or weekday mornings

• Warm, collaborative team - you'll work alongside passionate, welcoming colleagues who value your contribution

• Leadership visibility - present your findings to our CEO and leadership team

Ready to Make a Difference?

Please refer to the attached job description with details on how to apply. We look forward to hearing from you. 

Our Commitment to You

Sistah Space is committed to diversity and welcomes applications from all backgrounds. We particularly encourage applications from individuals with lived experience of the communities we serve. We recognise that the best volunteers come from diverse experiences and perspectives.

All volunteers will be supported with appropriate training, regular supervision, and flexible working arrangements. We are committed to making this a valuable and rewarding experience for you.

Thank you for considering this opportunity to use your skills for social justice. Together, we can ensure that every Black woman survivor has access to the specialist support she deserves.

Proxy by IWI Overview
The mission of Proxy by IWI is to provide and encourage an engaged, thoughtful feminist response to mainstream media,
popular culture, legal discord and advocacy.

To be published daily on the web, Proxy by IWI is ambitious, distinctive journalism about the people, ideas, laws and institutions that matter most from a feminist perspective - and beyond. Featuring hard-hitting original reporting as well as smart analysis, provocative argument, and first-person perspectives.

Principal Responsibilities
• Maintain a comprehensive overview of trends and developments on women's human rights globally;
• Must be able to submit a minimum of two (2) articles a month for publication, avg 600-800 words;
• Verify accuracy of facts and obtain supplemental material and additional details from files, reference libraries, and
interviews with knowledgeable sources;
• Organise material and report conforming to specified length, style, and format requirements;
• Interview people in a range of different circumstances as needed;
•Build contacts to maintain a flow of news, for example, police and emergency services, local council, community groups, health trusts, press officers from a variety of organisations, the general public, etc;
• Work closely with the Proxy team to produce concise and accurate copy according to our house style; 
• Research and write feature articles, sometimes for subsidiary publications and supplements;
• Create news content for the Proxy by IWI website.

Requirements
• 4+ years' experience in research and /or reporting;
•Excellent interpersonal and collaboration skills, and the ability to work independently and as part of a team;
• Flexibility, initiative, and good problem-solving abilities;
• Multicultural experience and sensitivity to cross-cultural differences;
• Desire to work in a women's human rights environment;
• Strong listening skills;
• Excellent writing ability, including the ability to write in different styles and to other people's direction;
• Good analytical skills to gain an accurate understanding of the subject in question;
• Organisational ability to manage multiple projects, often to tight deadlines;
• Creative approach, both in coming up with ideas for new projects and for getting a message across innovatively; 
• Good attention to detail, including the ability to proof-read your own work;
• Excellent written English skills.
 

The Board of Trustees exists to inspire and guide both the Executive Leadership and the Senior Leadership Team through the application of Choose Love's vision, mission, and core principles, providing inclusive leadership. The Board Governance ensures that each trustee fulfils their duties and responsibilities for effective charity governance, whilst supporting and, where appropriate, challenging the Chief Executive and Deputy Chief Executive.

The trustees ensure that the Board functions as a cohesive unit and works closely with the entire Executive of the charity to achieve agreed objectives. They act as ambassadors and the public face of the charity in partnership with the Chief Executive, representing Choose Love's values and mission to stakeholders and the wider community.

We are looking to strengthen our existing board. Choose Love is seeking to recruit two additional trustees. 

1. TRUSTEE VACANCY ONE: TRUSTEE DEDICATED TO ADVANCING CHOOSE LOVE’S HUMANITARIAN PROGRAMMES
2. TRUSTEE VACANCY TWO: TRUSTEE DEDICATED TO ADVANCING CHOOSE LOVE’S COMMUNICATIONS STRATEGY

We are seeking trustees who are ready to do more than fulfil statutory requirements or attend scheduled meetings. The work of Choose Love, and the impact we strive to achieve, depends on trustees who are proactive, engaged, and generous with their time, expertise, and energy.

We encourage candidates who are willing to be accessible and responsive outside of formal board settings, whether that's by advising on urgent matters, attending events, mentoring staff or volunteers, or participating in advocacy and outreach activities. This role will involve reading and reflecting on reports and proposals in advance, giving thoughtful feedback, and being available for consultation as required.

Being a trustee at Choose Love is a dynamic commitment that extends beyond the boardroom. We are seeking individuals who will play an active role in shaping our vision, supporting our team, and ensuring the charity remains resilient and responsive to the needs of the communities we serve.

Village Preschool E17 is a small charity in Walthamstow offering high-quality early years education. We’re currently undergoing a strategic transformation to improve operations, strengthen sustainability, and deepen our community impact.

What will you be doing?

Village Preschool E17 is a small, community-based educational charity in Walthamstow, providing high-quality early years education to local families. We are currently entering an exciting phase of transformation, and we’re seeking a new Chair of Trustees to guide us through this journey.

As Chair, you will play a vital leadership role in ensuring strong governance, strategic direction, and a sustainable future for the preschool. You’ll work closely with the Headteacher of Preschool and a committed board of trustees to improve operations, shape long-term plans, and uphold our values and charitable mission. You’ll also provide support and supervision to the Headteacher, lead termly board meetings, and act as a key representative of the organisation.

This role is both strategic and supportive, requiring sound judgement, strong interpersonal skills, and a collaborative leadership style. We’re looking for someone with experience in governance, leadership, or strategic planning—ideally within the charity, education, or early years sector. You should be confident in leading group discussions, supporting senior staff, and helping to identify funding and sponsorship opportunities.

If you’re passionate about early childhood education and community development, and want to use your skills to make a lasting local impact, we’d love to hear from you.

What are we looking for?

Leadership and Governance:

• Lead the Board of Trustees to ensure strong governance, strategic oversight, and compliance with legal and regulatory obligations.
• Chair termly trustee meetings and ensure all trustees are actively engaged and informed.
• Support the recruitment, induction, and development of trustees to build a strong and effective board.
• Ensure board decisions are actioned and followed up appropriately.

Support and Supervision:

• Provide regular line management and support to the Head of Preschool, including:
  • Leading the annual performance appraisal.
  • Acting as a sounding board for strategic and operational issues.

Communication and Representation:

• Main point of contact between the Board and the Head of Preschool.
• Create a positive, open relationship with staff, trustees, and stakeholders.

Strategic Oversight:

• Lead on the long-term development of the board and organisational planning.
• Facilitate effective collaboration and decision-making across the board.
• Take urgent action between meetings when necessary (not including decision-making unless explicitly authorised by the board).

Crisis Response:

• Act quickly and effectively in the event of emergencies or significant issues, working closely with the Head and trustees to coordinate an appropriate response.

Person Specification

Essential:

• Experience in governance, leadership, or strategic oversight—preferably within a charity, education, or early years setting.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to lead and facilitate group discussions and decision-making.
• Confidence in supervising and supporting senior staff.
• A genuine interest in early childhood education and community development.

Desirable:

• Knowledge of charity regulation, Ofsted requirements, or early years sector.
• Previous experience on a board or in a chairing role.
• Local to Waltham Forest or strong understanding of the local community.

What difference will you make?

As Chair of the Board of Trustees, you will play a vital role in shaping the future of Village Preschool E17. Your leadership will help guide our charity through an exciting period of transformation—strengthening governance, improving operations, and ensuring we continue to deliver high-quality early years education to local families.

You will be a key source of support for our Head of Preschool and a driving force behind a collaborative, effective trustee board. By bringing your skills and insight to strategic planning, compliance, and funding development, you will directly impact the lives of the children and families we serve.

This is a meaningful opportunity to use your experience for good—helping a valued local charity remain sustainable, inclusive, and deeply rooted in its community. Your voice, leadership, and vision could help secure a brighter future for Village Preschool E17.

Before you apply

Please provide a CV and cover letter detailing why you are interested in this role and your relevant experience.

**We are reviewing applications on a rolling basis and will close the opportunity once we've found the right person to join our board - early applications are encouraged.**